Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1889 — The Cuban Fire Fly. [ARTICLE]

The Cuban Fire Fly.

Scientific American. ' A most interesting experiment has recently been made in taking a photograph by the light of the Cuban fire fly. The species of this insect belonging to the United States is well known, but it* light producing powers are very feeble compared with those of its relatives, the lantern flies, or cucuyos, of Cuba. Brazil and Mexico. It is said that persons traveling by night in the tropical forest are accustomed to place these fi re beetles on their boats to light the way, and that Cuban the cucuyos as gems for their hair and clothing. A living specimen of these tropical insects was recently presented to the Bridgeport Scientific Society. It is about an inch and a half long, and bears upon each side of its body oval spots resembling eyes. In the dark these spots emit a greenish light, resembling that of tiny electric lamps in full glow. If the cucuyo is placed on a watch'disl its light will enable one to tell the time of night, and it also clearly illuminates a small printed page. Its radiance Beems to be in a measure under the control of the will, for when a gas jet is rapidly turned on and off, the inßect, whether from rivalry or some other motive, i sure to do his best. After various trials of the insect’s power, the experiment of photographing by its light was successfully carried out. A copy of a family portrait was made, the insect being held within an inch of tbe original, and in such a way that the rays fell perpen - dicuiarly on the negative. The time of exposure to bag light was about thirty seconds.